What is Autism?

[BikeLoverKai]

hello, i have aspergers which is a type of autism and i want to explain to you guys what autism is.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. It includes Asperger syndrome and childhood autism.

signs and symptoms

ASD can cause a wide range of symptoms, which are often grouped into two main categories:

Problems with social interaction and communication – including problems understanding and being aware of other people's emotions and feelings; it can also include delayed language development and an inability to start conversations or take part in them properly.

Restricted and repetitive patterns of thought, interests and physical behaviours – including making repetitive physical movements, such as hand tapping or twisting, and becoming upset if these set routines are disrupted.

Children, young people and adults with ASD are often also affected by other mental health conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety or depression.

[Mr Fro]

So where does that leave someone who doesn't want to start a conversation with someone else incase they start banging on and end up in that awkward position where they desperately want to get away but have already gone beyond the point of ending the conversation in a vaguely polite manner?

[BikeLoverKai]

So where does that leave someone who doesn't want to start a conversation with someone else incase they start banging on and end up in that awkward position where they desperately want to get away but have already gone beyond the point of ending the conversation in a vaguely polite manner?

tht happens to me alot

[Fozzie]

People are becoming more aware of autism so don't worry.

It's an interesting topic, as me and my brother are very similar in how we think and process the world. But due to just a few differences he is considered to have Asperger's whilst I just shared some minor traits.

Thing is that everyone on the ASD or otherwise all fall in their own spot on a scale. No two are the same, and everyone handles their situation differently.

[XmisterIS]

I've been lead to think that the higher up the autism spectrum you are, the less developed is your Theory of Mind. How does that sit with your experience, OP?

[SteveH30]

Trouble is films and media show don't show it properly.

If you imagine a triangle with several layers you could be at the tip with just a small or few traits of ASD or if your at the other end you have many traits of Autism. I've been a support worker for adults with learning difficulties and have supported people with autism too, and I can not learn enough about autism. As has been mentioned, everyone is different so you cant say what works for one will work for another as chances are it wont, were all different.

[Six30]

I thought it meant being good at maths.

[RantMachine]

Trouble is films and media show don't show it properly.

 

That's the case with pretty much any mental illness or personality disorder, to be quite honest.

[bex]

I thought it meant being good at maths.

 

some people, who have Aspergers, will latch onto something they understand and become extremely good at it. it does tend to be something black and white, right or wrong, such as maths, science etc. i have had students with Aspergers and they are awesome in some classes and really bad in others, you have to find their passion and then let them run with it.

this goes with the repetition thing that people labelled with autism do, because it helps them stay centered in a situation they are not happy, maths and counting is a good one but repetition is good for learning maths so this is why they become good at it.

[BikeLoverKai]

I thought it meant being good at maths.

 

some people, who have Aspergers, will latch onto something they understand and become extremely good at it. it does tend to be something black and white, right or wrong, such as maths, science etc. i have had students with Aspergers and they are awesome in some classes and really bad in others, you have to find their passion and then let them run with it.

this goes with the repetition thing that people labelled with autism do, because it helps them stay centered in a situation they are not happy, maths and counting is a good one but repetition is good for learning maths so this is why they become good at it.

 

Some of the stuff I latch onto is Motorbikes & Computers

[someone]

So where does that leave someone who doesn't want to start a conversation with someone else incase they start banging on and end up in that awkward position where they desperately want to get away but have already gone beyond the point of ending the conversation in a vaguely polite manner?

tht happens to me alot

 

The "banging on" or wanting to get away?

I have HFA but am the latter, except the point after which I cannot get away from a situation is the very beginning of one.